Study finds 43% of Michigan beaches were likely contaminated with poop in 2022
Researchers looked at data gathered by health officials from beaches last year.
The Great Lakes hold 90% of North America’s fresh surface water. But the water supply is not unlimited.
Nearly half of all Michigan beaches saw unsafe levels of fecal bacteria last year according to a new study.
A report released by the Environment Michigan Research & Policy Center looked into the quality of water at beaches in the state and across the country. Researchers looked at data gathered by health officials from beaches in 2022.
John Rumpler, clean water director for Environment Michigan Research & Policy Center, says that all too often beaches tested positive for bacteria that indicated there were likely feces in the water.
“It’s just crazy that we would be pumping millions of gallons of raw, untreated sewage — basically poop — into our waterways in Michigan. That’s insane. Here in the United States of America in the 21st century,” Rumpler says.
Listen to the entire interview using the media player above.
Michigan beach water quality sampling results, beach advisories and closures can be viewed on the state’s website here.
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